Resources – Advent 4

Let us pray (in silence) [that the message of God coming to save us may transform our lives]

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, [or Pour forth, we beseech you, O God,]
your grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son
was made known by the message of an angel,
may, by his passion and cross,
be brought to the glory of his resurrection,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

This collect has been with us at least since the 8th century Hadrianum. It is in the Sarum Missal, the Book of Common Prayer, the 1962 Missal, and the Roman Rite after Vatican II. It is one of the well-known collects that has been sadly abandoned by the NZ Anglican Prayer Book.

You can read more of the history and my reflection on this collect here

Remember: The Gloria (“Glory to God in the highest..”) is not used.

The O Antiphons of Advent

The NZ Lectionary booklet has O Sapientia in italics on 17 December. I wonder how many people reading that know what it refers to? There is no further mention of any of the other great O Antiphons. There is a lot on this site on these wonderful antiphons – the search box on the top right, as always, is the friend of those who want to explore. And the liturgy facebook page keeps you up to date day by day.

The first letters taken backwards form a Latin acrostic “ero cras” – Latin for “Tomorrow, I will come”.

There was an alternative English medieval practice of moving all of the antiphons forward by one day (commencing on 16 December) and adding an eighth antiphon, O Virgo virginum (O Virgin of virgins), on 23 December, (the acrostic became Vero cras, “truly, tomorrow”). This was followed in the CofE, but has been abandoned in its Common Worship. NZ Anglicanism followed this – the last year being 1990. Then it had several years of no mention of these Antiphons. In 1999 its lectionary booklet began following the more common practice.

2 Responses to Resources – Advent 4

Hi Bosco. A favour, could you recommend some serious devotional reading perhaps Maister Eckhart etc. As they seek to walk in grace and touch the hem of the Lord as he passes by. Something to read that touches my heart. About me Richard Wheeler ordinand studied at St Johns. Talked out of my evangelical faith. Now a 70 somewhat psychogist. Cheers

Wow, Richard!
What an ask 🙂
At the Meister Eckhart end I would rank the Cloud of Unknowing and then moving onto John of the Cross (feast day today).
More contemporary, Thomas Merton, Brian McLaren, Esther de Waal, Richard Rohr, Joan Chittister…
I have a particular appreciation for what is written by Carthusians.
I hope there is something in my list that touches your heart.
Advent blessings.